MAG COVERS: OPRAH SPEAKS ON WEIGHT ISSUES IN O MAGAZINE
Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Oprah Winfrey speaks on on her new weight issues in the Januaray issue of O magazine. According to the article, she is now 200lbs, a 40 pound weight gain from just 3 years ago.
“I’m embarrassed … I can’t believe that after all these years, all the things I know how to do, I’m still talking about my weight. I look at my thinner self and think, ‘How did I let this happen again? I didn’t just fall of the wagon. I let the wagon fall on me.”
Oprah’s current BMI — a measure of body fat based on height and weight — of 31.8, puts her in the obese category. Obesity increases your risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes and many other serious health problems.
For Oprah, who ran a marathon in 1994 and co-authored the 1996 best-seller “Make the Connection: Ten Steps To A Better Body — And A Better Life” with fitness and health guru Bob Greene, the battle of the bulge is one of frustration.
“I definitely wasn’t setting an example,” she says in her article. “I was talking the talk, but I wasn’t walking the walk.”









84 Comments
COMMENT PAGES: [1] 2 » Show All
1.
VirgoDoll
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
It’s ok Oprah we still love you!!
2.
Gold
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
i loooove oprah! weight issues are a bitch
3.
Kena
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
She looks fabulous in that first pic! I’m sure she’ll get it together.
4.
lea
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
As long as she crash diet, that will be her life story, up and down up and down.
5.
Miss. Tiandez Jones
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
at least she knows! yep oprah you WERE talking the talk and not walking the walking, but at least you owned up to it. you’re rich, hell i’d be eating to!
6.
Booyall
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
I think if you’re naturally a big person, it will always be a struggle…but tha’s what makes you human…just like Janet, Beyonce, etc. If they wasn’t in this business, they would be big girl! Ain’t nothn wrong with that!
7.
lea
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
But, shes working that 200lbs, she does not look 200lbs, plus her weight will NEVER out weigh her gift.
8.
Hills
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
Oprah shouldn’t be so hard on herself… She does have thyroid problems.. I believe she can get things back in order. GO OPRAH!!!
9.
candygirl
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
well if she is 200 lbs at least she’s a proportioned 200 lbs….i still think she looks good.
10.
SOLANGE
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
#6 Yes naturally big people will always have a constant struggle with weight
I remember when Oprah got to that size…wow I cant believe it was 2005 feels like just last year
11.
The Truth
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
I I don’t think anyone should follow the medical standards of obesity…Oprah
looks fine now to me, especially at her age, who is she trying to be? You
are only as beautiful as you feel…sure, everything in moderation. Some
people can’t help genetics
12.
SOLANGE
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
Oprah is kind of tall, so she can wear 200lbs well. If she were 5′4 or so it would look alot worse!
Thank goodness I’m 5′11….lol
13.
H8TED ON
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
DANG O DONT BE SO HARD ON YOURSELF.WOMEN ALWAYS STRUGGLE WITH WEIGHT ISSUE BECAUSE WE ARE USUALLY THE ONES STRESSED AND GIVING BIRTH. JUST GET BACK ON YOUR WEIGHT PLAN AND GET BACK WHERE U WANNA BE.AND MY SIS HAS AN OVER ACTIVE THYROID SHE FINALLY HAD IT REMOVED BACK IN OCTOBER.THYROIDS CAN BE A MAJOR ISSUE THEY HAD MY SIS WEIGHT GOING UP AND DOWN,HAIR FALLING OUT AND HER EYES BULDGEING FROM HER HEAD. SO OHPRAH NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND THAT BECAUSE OF THAT THYROID SHE WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO KEEP HER WEIGHT WHERE ITS AT.GOOD LUCK O AND TAKE CARE
14.
.HELLO!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
oprah looks wicked!!!! straight!!!!!!
i no if i had a billion dollars i would be fat as hell!!! i would eat so much and i no it!
15.
The Great One
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
Her body was banging. You know she had to get lipo for the fat she had back in her younger days to get her skin to look so tight in the skinny picture.
16.
Dee Dee
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
Man, I was watchin’ Oprah the other day and I had figured she’d gained a couple pounds. Weight is a real pain…especially when you’re metabolism slows down.
17.
Kina
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
She wears her weight well. As long as she is healthy, thats important.
18.
TeTe
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
its crystal clear she gained weight but it doesnt look bad on her at all…
we were in books-a-million yesterday and i noticed she was on the cover of her magazine,it was HELLA photoshopped!
and i didnt know she had gotten that small
19.
kid1
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
She shouldn’t be obsesed with medical standards, but she does need to be cautious with the problems that are brought on with being over weight. Some people have to work harder than others. I wish her the best with this struggle, because it has to be painful going through the battle in the limelight and the day age of the internet. I feel so sorry when Janet or Beyonce gain weight because people say very nasty comments. Whew so glad, I’m not a celebrity.
20.
honey1513
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
oprah your rich
no one really cares if you’re overweight
although you should stay as healthy as possible
21.
losse bosse
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
oprah has excess to alot of food. she has a personal chef. i would weigh 300lbs if i had her money.
22.
Jerome
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
Tsk tsk….all the money and power in the world, and she can’t keep the pounds off. But oddly enough, I like that she has weight problems. It makes her a human being. Seriously though, this is what, her 5th or 6th weight loss campaign/announcement? Just give it up, O. Your body has a weight that it wants to be, and the minute you fall off the wagon with your eating habits, you’ll be back to your size. You look just fine the way you are, just make sure you’re healthy.
Although with all that money and all those nutrition experts/trainers/chefs I gotta again say how surprised I am at how she can’t keep the pounds off. Her personal trainer (Bob whatever the hell his name is) should be fired.
23.
Soul Cookbook
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
****Ouch, a BMI of 31.8? I’m glad she put it out there because saying things l****like “she wears it well” doesn’t matter. She is jeopardizing her health.
***I think she needs to quit like one of her many ventures. Some people are famous BECAUSE they look good so they have to keep it up or else the $$$ goes.
***Oprah isn’t one of those people so she really has to make it a priority. I wish her the best.
24.
pete
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
she just wants to sell magazines..she knows all the overweight women will be jumping on this issue…….but at the end of the day money is not everything she will always be a southern fat mama
25.
TORY
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
LOL, Am but when I saw that Magazine Cover I WAS ROLLING! LOL LOL LOLOLOL
26.
bob
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
She is my favorite. Just saw her on milllionaire personals site “”"”" W e a l t h y C u p i d . c o m”"”"”"” last week. I am wondering what kind of relationship she is looking for on that site.Is she single again now?
27.
iknowdasrite
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
Where have some of yall been? Oprah really came down the right way in like 04 05.
lol but I know that cover is brushed to death
Im glad she is over the vanity of it though, being healthy is #1!
28.
Put a word in the dictionary like she did, then come back to me.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
I don’t give a damn what this devil worshiper does with her pathetic, worthless, and cocky life. She can go on the top of Mt. Everest and finish worshipping herself. Because that is who she said she worshipped anyway. Oprah doesn’t believe there is a God. She believes we all are our own Gods and should worhsip ourselves. She feels like what you have is not what God gave you, it is what you did for yourself.
Did you see the episode when the lady accomplished something very outstanding and thanked God and oprah said “It wasn’t God, it was you who made it happen”. Ever since then, she has been erased out my hall of fame. Money will not buy her cankled ass to heaven. Lonely old fraud.
29.
kcool
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
Luv Oprah…She is just human. It makes it harder when all eyes are on her. She still will be the richest woman in the world either way.
http://www.myspace.com/emale_kv
30.
Theworldwillendin2012
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
Shoot, if i had all her money, i’d be obese too, I guess my financial status has saved my health. But anywayz, for real, she doesn’t look obese, she’s being too hard on herself. Many factors contribute to weight gain and since she’s getting older and her metabolism is slowing down, she should just focus on staying healthy as opposed to being thin. We love you Oprah!
31.
kaykay
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
40lbs over 3 years isn’t bad. i just hope she stops ping-ponging; it’s bad for her heart and could be dangerous.
32.
flora
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
oprah is fat
33.
What i say goes
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
Oprah should just calm down and take a chill pill. Shes not ever going to look a supermodel, so y force it??? Work out and cut back. Thats what we all should do..
34.
Not_An_Angell
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
#32…LMAO and Amen…
Plenty of celebs are 5′6 125 lbs and unhealthy.
35.
The Wayno Show
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
Much props to Oprah! The first step is admitting that you have a problem. Once you’ve done that, you can find a way to resolve the issue and live a healthier life. Been there, done that, loving life a lot more now.
36.
CharismaZ
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
You’re still my homegirl Oprah!!!
37.
erika irish
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
let me tell you.. it is so easy to gain weight… in june, i took a body boot camp class. I lost 15 lbs in two months… in september i was 20 lbs lighter.. however, this is december and i am 4 lbs more than the weight when i started the class… girls it is so so so hard!
38.
AF GIRL
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
I like Oprah, but I’m kind of tired of her weight issues……….sorry!
39.
bobbi
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
who care about obesity standards….i am considered obese and i can out run a skinny broad any day…black should have a different standard we are a blessed bunch of women and the obesity standard is a way for us to feel bad about ourselves…i sure dont
40.
Not_An_Angell
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
I meant to LMAO @ #30….not #32.
41.
LENA BENA
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
Really black ppls standard of fat is different from “other” folks. Black women have curves, and (ASS)ets. Y do u ppl think Buffie the Body made it big in the black men society. Sure wasn’t her looks or slim waist. It was her Thickness. Embrace ur curves. Just don’t let it get out of hand, where u start to have health problems.
42.
GIA
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 /
I think she should do a show about celebrities with weight problems, who obviously go up and down - Janet, Beyonce, Ryan Seacrest, Lindsay Lohan, Tyra, the Alley lady - on to talk about struggles with weight. They go up and down so much that I think something is to be gained from having them discuss their issues. And I think stars who recently lost a ton of weight such as Lily Allen, the guy who hosted TRL in the nineties should come on. As well as those who have had eating disorders like Brandy, Mary-Kate Olsen and Nicole Ritchie (who doesn’t admit it, but come on). I think she should just do a “weight show” and have all these viewpoints and stories represented.
That being said, Oprah is much bigger than her weight…figuratively, I mean. Nobody cares if a woman as smart and innovative as her gains weight, even if she *GASP* gets “fat”
43.
india617
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 /
I am not saying its ok to be overweight but if you look at Queen Latifah she is a bit overweight but she is a healthy ass broad. She stays active and I think that’s what counts. Some folks are naturally thick and if they just maintain a healthy lifestyle by staying active and keeping their heart going these overweight people should be ok. Shit look it Heavy D.
India 617 aka Chunky Monkey
44.
Luvbug
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 /
Lawdy Oprah, u ain’t obese gurl, just a little on the thick side and ur not getting any younger. She have a million $ to every pound she weighs or gain. Hell go talk to Janet, she goes thru the same thang every 6 mths.
45.
Shay
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 /
I aint never seen Oprah that skinny
46.
Fubiz
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 /
Huge!
47.
melonso
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 /
losing weight sucks…
she looks like she could be a part of the jackson family in the purple outfit
48.
Ami
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 /
oprah needs to stop recycling of her weight issues for publicity. It’s BEEN played. anyhow, Oprah gains weight. Other fat and percieved helpless americans look up to her as there hero. They now know that they aren’t the only ones that can’t control what goes in there mouth. Oprah looses, weight. People are inspired for 2 hours. She becomes their hero all over again. Her ratings go up, you know, the new year, weight loss,ect. Everyone wins. Yeeyyyyyy! Go Oprah!!!
49.
msblknasty1
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 /
…..great oprah now that you know put that ham bone down
….. all that money you got ssssshhhhhiiiittt you should
…… have the best gym in the world in your home lol
…….. its ok to eat everything you like in moderation
…….you know gluttney is a sin lolo now look at you
…..but its ok you realized the problem
……now lets git to work or there wont be a gown
…. that wants to get on your fat ass 1 2 3 4
….put that pizza out the door lolo
50.
[bri] ♥ less
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 /
everyone falls off the wagon at some point…her abs were crazy before tho..i didn’t realize she had gotten that small. i know she can do it again if she puts her mind to it!
51.
SexyQB
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 /
Oprah……..you are a billionaire!!! I’m sure you’ll get it together for the new year like the rest of us! LOL
52.
MAI03
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 /
Umm Oprah, your human…alot of us deal with up & down weight issues. But i agree, she sure doesnt look 200 lbs at all. She’ll get her personal trainer back on the phone soon and loose whatever she wants. But she looks great to me on either picture.
53.
Whitneysfan2002
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 /
I think she looks better with the weight. She just needs to eat properly do moderate exercising. Everybody aint gonna be thin - some people are meant to be full-figured. But just take care of yourself. Eat right - and Do some moderate exercising and strenght training build muscle mass.
54.
blkhoutx
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 /
Oprah Looks good for her age.
55.
ElleElle
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 /
RE: # 28 ” Money will not buy her cankled ass to heaven. Lonely old fraud.”
Wow, I can tell that you have the true religion, what with all your kindness and such.
56.
Meat
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 /
—-Being rich makes it all the more difficult, because she knows that obesity could be
—-a show stopper one day. How many obese 60 year-olds do you see? Not many!
—-Her problem is probably not her diet, but the lack of exercise. Being rich means
—-she can eat anything she wants. It should also mean that she can go for long
—-walks anytime she wants. She knows how she let this happen! This should be
—-humbling for her and her followers.
57.
BAM BANG
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 /
That before picture is pure fraud!!!!!!!!!!!
Oprah with a 6 pack?????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA
G.T.F.O.H.
And she weighs more than 200 now!!!!!!!
I dont care about the weight just quit lying and decieving people. FAKE ISH.
I hate people like that.
58.
Confucius
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 /
As someone who has fallen off the wagon HARD!! and has also put back on 40lbs…I can appreciate her honesty. I don’t think that she is being dishonest, I just think that she is human and has this struggle like at least 50% of Americans. She can relate.
#52 I completely agree….
59.
Taurus Baby
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 /
I think Oprah should just try to stay healthy and stop focusing on the weight. Everybody is not able to be thin.
60.
Meat
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 /
—57. BAM BANG,
—You are so right about the photoshop in the “before” picture!
—And, the “after” picture is a fraud too…! Check out the cleavage down to the
—bottom of her breast. Now, imagine what that looks like in real life!!
—Also, they gave her a little fake hour glass shape.
—Oprah is shaped like a Sobe, not a Coke bottle.
61.
LWB - Living while black
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 /
#28 Get a life!!!! only God can judge, she’s helped millions of people. What have you done?…..Anyway, Oprah has a great hourglass shape she looks good no matter what…Go Oprah, we still love you!
62.
beautyfulnbx
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 /
Oo NO! oprah!
I still lOve her; she lOok good for her age.
-beautyful.
63.
beautyfulsOul
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 /
Oooh nOoo Oprah!
64.
beautyfulsOul
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 /
hmph. I really did think my post didnt gO thrOughhh .. oOps. x]
65.
Meat
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 /
–@61. WB - Living while black said: Oprah has “a great hourglass shape!”
—That’s not a great shape!
—It’s more like the famous New Year’s Eve Ball descending from the flagpole atop
—Times Square. hehe!
66.
Dr. Charles Martin
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 /
You have to admire her determination to get back to a healthy weight. Maintaining an ideal weight can be a lifelong struggle. No question that it reduces risks for so many chronic diseases like diabetes. By itself, elevated blood sugar is a serious health challenge but its complications can lead to catastrophic health events. Gum disease, for example, interacts with diabetes in ways that interfere with blood sugar control and contribute to heart attack, stroke, blindness . . . the list goes on. Fortunately, routine dental therapy can reduce blood sugar and even reverse gum damage. We write about this extensively at http://dentistryfordiabetics.com/blog.
- Charles Martin, DDS
Founder, Dentistry For Diabetics
67.
Vee1
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 /
Oprah kills me, she is doing all this talk about her gaining weight and whatnot, well no shit Oprah! We didn’t need you to come out and tell us you gained weight we can see that, but she’s just like everyone else who battles weight. It’s not that big a deal to me that she did. HOWEVER, I don’t know about that pic on the magazine cover of her in 2005, I don’t beleive she ever looked that great. Of course you want to be at a healthy weight, but she always trying to dupe people into thinking what she thinks and she does is the gospel we are supposed to live by.
68.
Teflon Boy
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 /
Jeez… is this broad really still talkin about her weight…. it’s been nearly 20 years… GET OVER IT ALREADY! (I Love Oprah aside from this)
69.
Meat
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 /
@66. Dr. Charles Martin,
—Thank you Dr. Martin. It’s about time we have more professionals here on CL to
—confirm some of the things I’ve been preaching to these bloggers. My fields are
—more to do with business, religion, psycho-therapy and entertainment. I look
—forward to more of your discussions.
70.
beyonceaintallthat
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 /
How can I gain 20 pounds?
I’m 5′7 i weight 108
help?
71.
POETIC BLUE
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 /
—- Oprah weighs more than some damn 200 pounds sorry..
72.
Meat
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 /
—70. beyonceaintallthat,
—I hope you’re not sick or trying to be funny!
—”Whey” will help you gain weight.
—Whey protein is a by-product of cheese making. It is formed when the curds
—separate from the milk or cream… It’s all natural and comes in many delicious
—flavors. You should use it with a good exercise regiment. A milkshake will work to.
73.
bombdiggity
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 /
Oprah, i love you and all but your just naturally thick, stop tryna be like them fake ass celebrities who’s got eatting disorders. Get real Oprah you look good for your age, you look like your atleast 150 at that.
74.
Obama Lova
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 /
Danm i totally forgot oprah looked like that 3 years ago, im so used to how she looks now
75.
U Go # 27
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 /
Oprah,
Before I depart this earth I have to meet you. You are an inspiration to all women.
We all have our issues that we have to sort out, sort through and throw away.
You continue to be the woman that God has called you to be and in 09, make it YOUR YEAR and focus on you.
Remember Oprah, you can’t be everything to everybody all the time.
I LOVE YOU!!!!
Miss Thang HOTT 1075 in BERMUDA…. aka Lil Miss Oprah
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